Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Bhutan to Bay of Bengal

Michael Palin concludes his Himalayan trek by travelling from Bhutan through Bangladesh before finishing on a fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal.

In Bhutan, Palin finds himself back in the land of yaks for a last look at the high Himalaya. Trekking to Chomolhari base camp he meets a nomad with a penchant for yak songs before heading down to Paro to witness the Buddhist festival or Tsechu. In a bar in Thimphu, he discusses reincarnation and the pursuit of happiness with Benji and Khendum, two of the king's cousins, and en route to Bangladesh is taken by Benji to see the rare black-neck cranes.

On his journey south through Bangladesh, Michael visits the ship-breaking beaches of Chittagong and grid-locked Dhaka. He meets a man who made a fortune in Birmingham in the poultry business, and a woman who lends money only to women. On a 1920s paddle steamer he is serenaded with the words of Bengal's Shakespeare, and he completes his epic Himalayan journey aboard a fishing boat that carries him out into the Bay of Bengal and a westering sun.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 18 Apr 2024 02:10

More episodes

Next

You are at the last episode

See all episodes from Himalaya with Michael Palin

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:40

    George Harrison

    Bangla Desh

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Palin
Producer John-Paul Davidson
Director John-Paul Davidson
Producer Roger Mills
Director Roger Mills

Broadcasts

Featured in...